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The Best Way to Market Your Restaurant  

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The Best Strategies to Market your Independent and Fast Casual Restaurants  

As any restaurant owner will tell you, owning your own spot is more than just a job. It’s a lifestyle. When you’re trying to manage staff and guest relationships and put out fires (sometimes not just figuratively), you eat, live, and breathe work. And you’re not just the owner—you’re often the manager, the dishwasher, the cook, the sous chef, the server, and sometimes even the last-minute delivery driver.  

So yeah, "marketing" can feel like a daunting task that’ll have to wait. 

But here’s the thing. Some of the best ways to market your restaurant aren’t expensive, time-consuming gimmicks. There are smart restaurant marketing tools that help you stay top-of-mind and keep your guests engaged. 

In this blog, we’ll break down what works, what’s worth your time, and what you can probably skip.  

Start with the Basics: The Best Restaurant Marketing Tools Today 

Marketing a restaurant used to mean putting coupons in local papers, pinning flyers to community boards, buying a radio spot during peak drive time hours, and hoping like heck your food and service was good enough that you could rely on word of mouth. Later on, punch cards took restaurant marketing by storm, making a mess of wallets and purses from coast to coast. Still, these low-cost, local efforts (and the hole punchers and cards that went with them) were the go-to playbook for decades. 

But today’s diners expect more, and competition is fierce. To stay top-of-mind, you need reliable, repeatable ways to build relationships with guests that don’t interfere with everything else you’re doing. If you’re looking for the best ways to market your restaurant and you’re pretty much starting from scratch, here’s where to begin:  

Building Your Restaurant Website (If You Don’t Have One Yet) 

In today's digital age, having a website is non-negotiable. Your website is more than a digital front door. It’s your online curb appeal, your menu board, and your ordering counter all in one. It’s also oftentimes your only chance to make a first impression because Google and other search engines will send people to your site when they’re searching for where to eat.  

Here’s what you’ll need to get your website up and running: 

1. A CMS (content management system), a.k.a. website builder.
Platforms like Squarespace, Wix, or WordPress are content management systems that let you build a site without writing code. Squarespace and Wix are the easiest for beginners. But like most things in life, they’re not free. Expect to pay an average of $30 monthly or a $300 yearly fee for the platform itself. 

2. A custom domain.
A domain is your website address—the URL guests type in to find you online. For example: www.yourworldfamouspizzaandtacos.com. You can buy a domain through Google Domains, GoDaddy, or directly through your website builder or CMS.  

Domain registrations require an annual fee, usually around $10–$20 per year. Remember to keep your domain short, clear, and connected to your restaurant name. (We don’t recommend using www.yourworldfamouspizzaandtacos.com.)   

3. Real photos of your food are a must. 

4. A restaurant-friendly website template.
Once you’ve picked which content management system you want to use, you’ll need to find a website template. Squarespace, for example, has many to choose from, but not all websites suit all business models. You’ll need to choose a template specifically designed for restaurants, which typically includes a homepage, menu, contact page, and a prominent “Order Now” button. It should load fast, look great on phones, and be easy to read. And yes—real photos of your food are a must.  

5. Online Ordering.
Not set up for online ordering yet? You can start simple—really simple. Some restaurants use a Google Form linked to a big “Order Now” button on their website or social media. It’s free and easy to build, but it comes with trade-offs: 

  • You’ll need to monitor orders manually 

  • No built-in delivery—pickup only unless you coordinate delivery yourself 

  • There’s no built-in payment processing 

  • No confirmation screen or status updates for guests 

  • No order timing, inventory control, or fraud protection 

This DIY system for online ordering is a scrappy option that’s ok for pop-ups, test kitchens, or early days—but you’ll likely outgrow it fast. 

“60% of people will leave a website if it takes over 3 seconds to load. 

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6. Make your website easy to navigate.
Straightforward page titles like “Lunch Menu” or “Order Takeout” help both Google and your guests. Add alt text to your images (like “spicy miso ramen bowl”) and make sure your site loads fast on mobile. Most customers are browsing on their phones, and stats say that over 60% of people will leave a website if it takes over 3 seconds to load. (We like to think of it as the real three-second rule.) 

7. Payment Page.
Another DIY method of online ordering for restaurants is linking to a payment page (like Square or PayPal) with your menu and pickup instructions. Just be sure your setup includes a clear way for your team to get notified when someone places an order, because nothing leaves a bad first impression like a guest showing up to pick up an order only to learn that no one realized they ordered.  

8. Digital visibility.
Digital visibility starts with your website, of course, but your site and online ordering menu are just the beginning. Once both are live, you’ll want to make sure they are SEO friendly. Use natural, specific, long‑tail phrases that say what you serve and where—e.g., instead of “delicious handhelds,” write “order chicken shawarma wraps in downtown Houston.” Add these phrases to your homepage, menu item names, and ordering page, and keep it readable (no keyword stuffing!).  

Tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs show exactly what people search for in your area, but they have a learning curve. Hiring a web designer and copywriter who knows SEO is one way to make sure your content checks the right boxes. You’ll need to get the technical parts right if you want to outrank the big guys, or even the guy up the street.   

Feeling overwhelmed? That’s normal. You can absolutely DIY this, but most owners don’t have the time (or patience). Hiring a website designer gets you a polished site without hours of sizing and uploading photos, and a copywriter who knows SEO will craft those menu item phrases for you, so you show up in Google and guests find you online.  

Expect to pay a designer and SEO copywriter a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on what you need. And remember: SEO isn’t one-and-done. You’ll need someone to keep it updated so your site keeps showing up.   

“Platforms like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub often take up to 30% of each sale.”

9. Pickup & Delivery.
If you want to offer both pickup and delivery, you can list your restaurant on third-party platforms like DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub. Just know they often take up to 30% of each sale, which can eat into your profits and make it more expensive for your guests. 

Some operators try to keep more control by using “logistics-only” delivery services for online ordering for restaurants like DoorDash Drive or Uber Direct. These let you dispatch a driver to deliver orders you’ve already taken through your website or payment page. However, you’ll still need to manage everything else, including timing, packaging, address accuracy, and customer support in case something goes wrong. It’s a heavy lift for small teams, especially without a support buffer to step in when issues pop up. 

The Right Restaurant Marketing Tools for Your Goals 

Your restaurant marketing tools should align with what you want to achieve—and how much time you can realistically commit. 

Boost Repeat Visits 

If you want guests to come back more often, loyalty marketing for restaurants is your best friend. Start with a program that tracks visits and rewards—whether it’s digital points, stamps, or dollars spent. Guests are more likely to return when they know their loyalty pays off. 

Add timed follow-up emails or text messages after each visit to thank them and offer a small incentive for next time. Even a simple, "Thanks for dining with us—here’s 10% off your next order!" can bring people back in. 

Don’t forget about your receipts: adding a promo code for their next visit is low-effort, high-return. You’re already handing them the bill, why not hand them a reason to come back, too? 

Can you DIY a loyalty marketing program?  

Sort of. If you’re not using a built-in system, you can still track visits and rewards using punch cards, spreadsheets, or Google forms. Some restaurants even use their POS system to track repeat visits. 

There are also basic loyalty apps available that let guests check in with a phone number or scan a QR code. Platforms like FiveStars are popular with small businesses and offer features like automated rewards, customer profiles, and email integrations. These services typically cost anywhere from $30 to $100 per month, depending on whether you need things like multi-location tracking, branded experiences, or analytics. But here’s where it adds up: loyalty apps often only cover one part of the puzzle. If you also want to send marketing emails, text campaigns, or manage online reviews, you’ll likely need separate tools—like Mailchimp for email, EZ Texting for SMS, or Birdseye for reviews.  

Whatever way you choose your loyalty tools, the trick is consistency. Your staff needs to be trained on the tool and the program, promote it, and follow through. Train your team to mention it at checkout, include signage at the counter, and remind repeat guests when they’re close to a reward. 

Also, be sure your offer feels realistic and worth it. A free drink after 5 visits? Great. A free entrée after 20? Most guests won’t stick around that long. Keep it simple, rewarding, and easy to remember.  

 

Goal: Boost Your Online Word of Mouth Using Guest Feedback 

Guest feedback is one of the best ways to market your restaurant, but it’s often overlooked and underused. When guests feel seen, heard, and valued, they’re not just more likely to return—they’re more likely to recommend you and nothing beats real word of mouth from someone who just had a great experience.  

The best way to begin a guest feedback campaign is to start simple: send a short post-meal survey via email or SMS. A few quick questions— “What did you order? How was it? Would you come back?”—can reveal what’s working and what’s not. Use free tools like Google Forms or built-in survey blocks from platforms like Mailchimp but keep it short (2–3 questions max). The important part? Someone on your team has to read and reply to responses. 

Not sure what to say when replying to responses? You’re not alone. We’ve all read those heated Yelp exchanges between customers and managers/owners and thought, “Yikes!” I mean, we get it, it can be difficult to not react to a negative review with emotion. But replying to bad reviews with negative comments is something you’ll want to avoid no matter how much you want to leap to your own defense.  

Remember current and potential guests are learning more about you with every online interaction they see connected to your restaurant. So, you’ll want to respond to all reviews with a level head, and be appreciative, and kind. Many businesses use what is called the LEARN model to deal with customer complaints.  

Here is the LEARN method in a nutshell.  

  • Listen — Really listen. Or read. Don’t skim. 

  • Empathize — A little humanity goes a long way. 

  • Apologize — Even if it wasn’t your fault, own the moment. 

  • Resolve — Offer a clear fix or next step. 

  • Notify — Share the issue with your team so it doesn’t happen again. 

Not feeling up to being your own public relations manager? We get it. You didn’t open a restaurant so you could send and respond to customer feedback. But the key is still to close the loop. Thank guests who leave positive reviews and reach out when someone flags a problem. Feedback isn’t just about fixing mistakes—it’s a roadmap to successful relationships by doing more of what your guests already love.    

Remember: Feedback isn’t just a tool to fix mistakes— It’s one of the most underused tools in restaurant marketing—and one of the most powerful. When guests feel seen, heard, and valued, they’re not just more likely to return—they’re more likely to recommend you to others.   

Goal: Boost your online reputation with Google Reviews 

Encourage Satisfied Guests to Leave Reviews 

Online reviews aren’t just for show—they directly influence whether new customers walk in your door. Most people will check Google reviews or Yelp before they ever visit your website, so it pays to encourage satisfied guests to share their experience. 

The key is to make it easy and timely. After a great meal or a smooth online order, ask. You can do this in person (“If you enjoyed everything, would you mind leaving us a quick review?”) or automatically via email or SMS. Some platforms let you include a clickable review link right in the follow-up message. 

If you’re doing it manually, try adding a short note to the bottom of the receipt with a QR code that links to your review page. You can also print a small sign at the register or use table tents. It’s low effort, but it can work. 

And yes, you can DIY this part too. Free QR code generators let you link directly to your Google review page. Just note: this approach doesn’t let you track who left a review or follow up with them in the future. It’s a one-way transaction, not a long-term strategy, especially if you’re hoping to build an actual guest database for marketing purposes or connect reviews to loyalty efforts.  

Also keep in mind that this approach doesn’t give you much visibility or control. Once the guest clicks through, you lose the opportunity to follow up with them. It’s a one-way street, not a long-term relationship builder. Some email marketing tools like Mailchimp allow you to build automated emails with links to review sites. You won’t get every guest to respond—but even a handful of new 5-star reviews each month can boost your discoverability and build trust with new customers. 


Social Media Marketing for Restaurants  

Social media might seem like the magic solution, but here’s the truth: most independent restaurants don’t have the time, staff, or budget to launch the kind of social media campaigns that drive measurable business. The ROI is hard to track—and staying consistent is tough when you're also running a restaurant. 

If you do want to maintain a presence, pick one or two platforms (typically Facebook and Instagram) and post 2–3 times per week. Highlight your team, showcase best-sellers, and use Stories or Reels for behind-the-scenes content. Skip the pressure to “go viral” and focus on being authentic and active in your local community. Even if you don’t have a huge following, social media marketing for restaurants works best when it’s tied to a real event, offer, or story—like a behind-the-scenes kitchen moment, a time-sensitive special, or a loyal guest shoutout. And when you combine your social posts with online ordering promos or loyalty rewards, you give guests a reason to act now—not just scroll by. 

That said, your time might be better spent on direct marketing tools like email, SMS, loyalty programs, and feedback surveys—which are known to drive actual repeat visits and online orders. 


Other Smart Ways to Market Your Restaurant 

Run Timed Online Ordering Promos to Boost Sales  

One of the smartest ways to drive revenue during slower shifts is to run short-term promos through your online ordering system. These limited-time deals, like a lunch special from 1–3pm or a Monday-only family bundle—encourage guests to place orders during off-peak hours. It’s a simple tactic that works especially well when paired with email or SMS alerts. Used alongside other restaurant marketing tools, short term promos for online orders can boost visibility, increase average ticket size, and build stronger customer habits over time. 


Drive In-House Traffic with Smart On-Premise Promotions 

Promotions don’t have to be digital. On-premises events and specials can turn a slow night into a steady one. Think happy hours, game nights, or themed food events that give people a reason to come in during off-peak hours. Even something as simple as “Kids Eat Free Wednesdays” or a trivia night with small prizes can boost foot traffic and help spread word-of-mouth. These strategies may not require software, but they’re still powerful restaurant marketing tools. Promoting these offers through social media is a good idea too although as we discussed above, social media marketing for restaurants isn’t exactly a cure-all.  


Use QR Codes to Connect Offline Guests to Online Ordering 

QR codes are one of the simplest restaurant marketing tools, but they pack a punch. With a quick scan, guests can jump straight to your online ordering for restaurants site—no searching, no typing, no friction. Add them to table tents, menus, flyers, or mailers so every offline interaction becomes a chance to order direct. 

QR codes aren’t just for takeout either. Many restaurants use them to encourage reviews or collect guest feedback right after a meal. Others link them to loyalty rewards or limited-time promos, making it easy for guests to redeem offers on the spot. By turning print materials into clickable experiences, QR codes bridge the gap between your in-house diners and your digital marketing efforts. 
 

Create a Marketing Plan That Works for You 

Most independent restaurant owners like you don’t have the budget to hire a full-time marketing team. That means if you’re going to do it yourself, you’ll need a plan you can actually follow—without burning out. Here’s a realistic, lightweight framework to start with: 

Pick one tool for each task. You’ll need: 

  • One for online ordering (like a website or ordering platform) 

  • One for loyalty and guest data (like a punch card or FiveStars) 

  • One for outreach (like Mailchimp for email) 

Trying to do all three with different platforms can get overwhelming fast—so consider choosing a system that combines them when possible. 

Give each task a day to complete: 

  • Monday: Focus on promotions. Plan your weekly special, timed deal, or discount campaign. Is Tuesday lunch slow? Run a buy-one-get-one offer or a combo meal. 

  • Tuesday & Friday: Check your feedback. Read and respond to guest reviews and form submissions. See what’s working, what’s not, and share wins or issues with your team. 

  • Wednesday: Run your outreach. Send out one email or SMS campaign. Think: a reminder about your Thursday deal, a happy hour invite, or a limited-time menu item. 

  • Thursday: Update and schedule. Refresh your menu listings, tweak your ordering page, or update your homepage with new photos. Pre-schedule your next email or promo. 

  • Friday (again): Review your results. Look at open rates, orders, redemptions, or reviews. Note what worked and what didn’t—and use that data to adjust next week’s plan. 

Bonus tip: Keep all your results in one simple spreadsheet or doc. Over time, you’ll start to see patterns in what resonates with your audience—and where to put your energy. 

This kind of rhythm gives your marketing structure—without overwhelming your already-full plate. But it still takes time. Between planning promos, replying to feedback, sending emails, and checking reports, you’ll easily spend a few hours a week just keeping things running. 

If that sounds like more than you want to manage on your own, there’s a simpler option. 

You Can Do All This. Or Let Menufy Do It for You. 

If DIY restaurant marketing sounds like too much, we’ve got you. Menufy helps restaurants like yours grow without juggling a dozen tools or spending hours writing emails, fixing your website, or replying to every review. 

With Menufy Marketing Advantage, you’ll get: 

  • An Online ordering system— so guests can order direct from you, not the place up the street. 

  • QR Code— our manager dashboards has an easy to download QR code that directs customers right to your ordering site.

  • Customizable Email Tool— built-in email system so you can connect with your guests, without needing a 3rd party platform.

  • 24/7 support— to help you every step of the way from design to the tech stuff 

Whether you’re focused on online ordering for restaurants, loyalty marketing for restaurants, or building a better guest experience, we’ve got the tools—and the team—to help you do more without adding to your plate.  

TL; DR: The Best Ways to Market Your Restaurant 

Short on time? Here’s the quick version: 

  • Build a fast-loading, mobile-friendly website with online ordering. Include a clear domain name and real photos. 

  • Use restaurant marketing tools that combine online ordering, loyalty, and marketing outreach into one system. 

  • Start a loyalty program to reward repeat guests. Keep it simple and realistic. 

  • Use email and SMS tools to send promos and thank-yous. Use email and SMS tools to send promos and thank-yous. Be sure your messages follow compliance laws based on the recipient’s location—not yours. 

  • Ask for guest feedback. Use short surveys. Respond with empathy and professionalism. 

  • Encourage positive reviews on Google and Yelp. Include links in receipts, emails, and SMS. 

  • Only do social media if you can be consistent. Otherwise, focus on direct tools like loyalty and email. 

  • Use timed text and email promotions during slow shifts to boost sales. 

Menufy Marketing Advantage combines all this plus a 24/7 support team into one easy platform that does the work for you. 

Ready to see how Menufy can spice up your restaurant’s marketing? Let’s chat and cook up some amazing results together! 

 

FAQ: The Best Ways to Market Your Restaurant  

  • The best ways to market your restaurant without spending much often start with the basics: claiming and optimizing your Google Business profile, encouraging happy guests to leave online reviews, and making sure your website is SEO-friendly and mobile-ready. Low-cost restaurant marketing tools like digital punch cards, email newsletters, and timed text promotions can also keep you top of mind. Even simple tactics—like adding a QR code to receipts or running “kids eat free” nights—can boost visibility and repeat visits without expensive ad spend. 

  • Every independent or fast casual operator needs a few core restaurant marketing tools to compete: a branded, SEO-optimized website with online ordering for restaurants, a loyalty marketing for restaurants program that rewards repeat visits, and an outreach platform for email and SMS marketing. These tools work together to drive discovery, encourage repeat business, and capture valuable guest data. When possible, choose a system that combines online ordering for restaurants, loyalty marketing for restaurants, and automated campaigns in one place so you’re not juggling multiple platforms. 

  • Loyalty marketing for restaurants works because it gives guests a reason to return. Whether you use a POS-based program, a QR-code check-in, or a digital punch card, rewards encourage more frequent visits and higher ticket sizes. The best restaurant loyalty marketing tools also integrate with email or SMS, letting you send follow-up offers after each visit—like “Thanks for ordering, here’s 10% off your next meal.” This combination of rewards and personalized communication strengthens relationships, turns one-time diners into regulars, and keeps your brand front and center.

  • The simplest way to start online ordering for restaurants is with a DIY setup like a Google Form or payment link, but these options come with trade-offs: no integrated payments, no delivery management, and no guest confirmation system. Most operators quickly outgrow this and move to a dedicated online ordering for restaurants platform that offers branded menus, pickup and delivery options, and integration with loyalty programs. Direct online ordering for restaurants helps you keep more of each sale, maintain guest relationships, and avoid losing margins to third-party apps that can charge up to 30% per order

  • Social media marketing for restaurants can work well if it’s done strategically. Posting consistently on Facebook or Instagram, highlighting team members, and promoting best-sellers or time-sensitive specials keeps you visible in your local community. But social media alone rarely drives measurable revenue. The best approach is to combine social media marketing for restaurants with other tools—like loyalty programs, email campaigns, and online ordering promos—so that your posts lead directly to repeat business and higher ticket sizes instead of just likes. 

  • Menufy combines multiple restaurant marketing tools into one easy-to-use system so owners don’t have to manage everything separately. With Menufy, you get a branded SEO website, direct online ordering for restaurants, loyalty marketing for restaurants tools, automated email and SMS outreach, guest feedback collection, and review management—all backed by a 24/7 customer success team. Instead of juggling different platforms for loyalty, outreach, and online ordering, Menufy brings everything together so you can market your restaurant effectively, save time, and grow your repeat business.